Appellate Court affirms TVJ's “Eat Bulaga” copyright; denies TAPE’s bid to overturn ruling

• The Court of Appeals (CA) denied the Motion for Reconsideration filed by TAPE Inc. in the Eat Bulaga! copyright case

• The CA affirmed the earlier ruling that TVJ (Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon) are the rightful copyright owners of the show's audiovisual recordings and jingles

• TAPE Inc. was ordered to pay the hosts a total of P3 million in temperate and exemplary damages, plus attorney's fees

• The decision strengthens the hosts' position, following the December 2023 IPOPHL ruling that canceled TAPE's "Eat Bulaga" and "EB" trademark registrations

In a significant legal victory for the veteran television trio Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (TVJ), the Court of Appeals (CA) has firmly denied the Motion for Reconsideration filed by Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE) in the contentious copyright infringement and unfair competition case surrounding the iconic variety show, Eat Bulaga!.

The appellate court’s rejection solidifies the earlier lower court ruling, which recognized TVJ as the rightful copyright owners of the show's audiovisual recordings and jingles.

TAPE, the long-time producer of the show, had been attempting to reverse the decision which found them liable for using the intellectual property without the consent of the creators.

A statement released by the office of former Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III confirmed the CA's affirmation of the original judgment.

The decision re-emphasizes the court’s finding that TAPE was not the legitimate owner of the creative materials associated with the program, which began airing in 1979.

Crucially, the Court of Appeals upheld the financial penalties imposed on TAPE. The production company has been ordered to pay a total of P3 million in damages and legal fees to the hosts.

This amount includes P2 million for temperate damages, P500,000 for exemplary damages, and an additional P500,000 for attorney's fees.

The judgment on exemplary damages specifically penalizes the company for its reckless or malicious disregard of the intellectual property rights of TVJ.

This latest judicial development complements a separate major ruling from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) in December 2023.

At that time, the IPOPHL had already ordered the cancellation of TAPE Inc.’s registration for the "Eat Bulaga" and "EB" trademarks, further fortifying the hosts’ legal standing over the brand they created.

The legal dispute escalated following TVJ's departure from TAPE Inc. on May 31, 2023, due to an irreconcilable conflict with the company's management.

The trio, along with their co-hosts and production staff, subsequently launched a new program, E.A.T., on a rival network.

The CA's resolute denial of TAPE's appeal significantly limits the producer's legal options in the Philippines.

While the case may still be elevated to the Supreme Court, the successive rulings by the IPOPHL, the Regional Trial Court, and now the Court of Appeals' denial of reconsideration all point to a consistent judicial recognition of TVJ's foundational creative contribution and ownership over the four-decade-old television institution.

This landmark intellectual property case has sent a powerful message throughout the entertainment industry regarding the protection of original creative works.

"Eat Bulaga" is the longest-running noontime variety program on Philippine television. The show premiered on July 30, 1979. Its pioneer hosts include showbiz icons Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon.

Last month, Ice Seguerra posted a heartfelt poem on social media to celebrate Eat Bulaga’s 46th anniversary. The singer shared photos with the Dabarkads and thanked the show for the love and joyful memories. Ice expressed deep gratitude for the strong bond and sense of family she experienced on the show. Eat Bulaga remains a beloved noontime program that played a big role in Ice’s personal and professional journey.

Previously, Eat Bulaga mainstay, Maine Mendoza, reflected on her 10-year journey as an 'Eat Bulaga' host. On her broadcast channel, Maine penned a heartfelt reflection about her career. According to Maine, ""Can you believe it's been a decade? Where did time go?" By the end of her post, Maine had nothing but love for everyone who supported her.

Source: KAMI.com.gh